(Newser)
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The Dalai Lama says it’s up to him to decide whether he should be reincarnated—and of course China isn't having any of that. Beijing today dismissed any successor picked by the spiritual leader himself as illegal, following the 76-year-old’s statement this weekend that he’ll make a decision on reincarnation when he’s “about 90." He said China shouldn’t weigh in on the choice; China, however, says that “the title of Dalai Lama is conferred by the central government and is illegal otherwise."

Traditionally, monks pick a young boy to be Dalai Lama based on signs he is the previous leader’s reincarnation, AFP notes. But “a Dalai Lama identifying his own successor has never been the practice,” says a rep for China’s foreign ministry. “The reincarnation of the Dalai Lama should follow religious rituals and historical conventions and laws and regulations of this state." The current Dalai Lama said he planned to offer “clear guidelines to recognize the next Dalai Lama” while he remains “physically and mentally fit.” Meanwhile, two young Tibetan monks set themselves on fire today in China, calling for religious freedom.

The 'Peoples' Republic of China is illegal. God bless Taiwan and the true Chinese.

Truth777

Oct 10, 2011 10:57 PM CDT

Read: Hebrews 9:27-28

fractal

Sep 28, 2011 12:37 AM CDT

China cannot win this fight. Especially in the info era. They need to stop acting like fundys, and leave the poor mystics alone. Telling someone what they MUST believe, is the surest way to get a backlash.